By Ho Kit Yen | Free Malaysia Today
Human rights activist Heidy Quah pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today over her Facebook post alleging the mistreatment of refugees at an immigration detention centre.
Quah was slapped with one charge under section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, with the prosecution contending that she uploaded the post on June 5, 2020 with the intention to insult others.
The charge stated that the Facebook post was read by an officer at the immigration department in Putrajaya.
If found guilty, she faces a maximum RM50,000 fine, or a jail term of less than one year, or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Noor Dayana Mohamad asked sessions judge Edwin Paramjothy Michael Muniandy to impose bail of RM7,000 for Quah.
Quah’s lawyer, New Sin Yew, however, urged the court to impose bail of RM2,000.
“To impose (bail of) RM7,000 is excessive. She is the founder of an NGO, Refuge For The Refugees, that has been operating for 10 years,” he said, adding that Quah had received awards for her humanitarian work.
The court agreed to bail of RM2,000 bail in one surety.
The next mention is fixed for Sept 6.
Last year, police questioned Quah over her post. She surrendered her mobile phone to the authorities during the investigation.
